Local News

7-year-old Girl Killed in Bass Lake Boat Accident

BASS LAKE - On September 3, 2018 around 3:08pm, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service regarding a boating accident at Bass Lake. According to witness statements, a privately owned ski boat was pulling two individuals on an inflatable tube. While the ski boat was stopped, a pontoon boat struck both tube passengers. Deputies responded to the scene along with EMS and located two injured persons, ages 32 and 7.

The 32 year old male, Brandon Harris, was transported to local regional hospital by ground ambulance, while the 7 year old female victim was airlifted to a local regional hospital. The 7 year old female, Lily Harris, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The father and daughter are both residents of Fresno, but maintain a residence in the Bass Lake area. The operator of the pontoon boat is a resident of San Mateo, but also maintains a residence in the Bass Lake area.

Turlock Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Trafficking Child Pornography

FRESNO - Edward Paul Cragg, 38, of Turlock, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to 20 years in prison for one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

The prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release during which Cragg will be required to register as a sex offender, and his access to minors, computers, and the internet will be restricted. Cragg was also ordered to pay $3,000 to $5,000 in restitution to multiple victims whose images Cragg obtained and made available to others.

Fresno County Jail Inmate Attacks Two Correctional Officers

FRESNO - On Tuesday, 35 year old inmate Emillio Mancia assaulted two Fresno County Correctional Officers with a small, jail-issued shaving razor. The officers were attempting to move Mancia out of a video visitation room when he attacked the two male officers, slashingthem several times in their faces.

Two additional male correctional officers responded to help subdue Mancia. While doing so, one of the officers injured his hand and the other hurt his knee. Mancia was ultimately detained and taken back to his cell. All of the officers received medical treatment for their injuries. They were sent home and are in good spirits. In fact, they've stated they are eager to return to work.

Conviction of Human Trafficking & Extortion in One of California's First Farm Labor Trafficking Cases

FRESNO - Efren Alvarez (53, of Fresno) has been convicted of human labor trafficking and extortion in one of California’s first farm labor trafficking cases, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has announced.

Today, Mr. Alvarez was convicted by a Fresno County jury of one (1) felony count of Human Trafficking and three (3) felony counts of Extortion in order to maintain the victims’ labor in March of 2016. In committing his crimes, the defendant utilized a complex scheme whereby he obtained the victims’ visas, passports, and permits as collateral for a loan, and then threatened to harm and report each to immigration authorities if they did not continue to work for him. The victims’ ultimately sought help from the United Farm Workers, who then reached out to law enforcement.

25 Ms-13 Gang Members Arrested In Mendota And Los Angeles For Assault And Drug Trafficking

FRESNO - As part of a multi-agency operation, 25 individuals associated with Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) were arrested in California on federal and state charges in connection with their gang activities, including assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Additionally, two federal indictments were unsealed today: one charging two MS-13 gang members with kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering and another charging three MS-13 gang members with conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Brian Benczkowski, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.